Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
orthomyxovirus

orthomyxovirus

9.9
A virus that causes flu in people and animals
  • noun
  • /ˌɔrθoʊˈmɪksəˌvaɪrəs/
  • Specialized
: ortomixovirus
  • The orthomyxovirus family includes all known influenza viruses affecting humans and animals.

Examples

  • The orthomyxovirus is responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks.

  • Some orthomyxoviruses can cause severe respiratory illness.

  • Researchers are studying how the orthomyxovirus adapts to resist antiviral drugs.

  • Scientists discovered a new strain of orthomyxovirus that is highly contagious.

  • Researchers are studying how the orthomyxovirus adapts to resist antiviral drugs.

  • Scientists discovered a new strain of orthomyxovirus that is highly contagious.

  • The orthomyxovirus family includes all known influenza viruses affecting humans and animals.

Synonyms

myxovirus
vsorthomyxovirus
  • Archaic
9.9

A group of viruses that cause flu and mumps

is a narrower group restricted to influenza viruses

Surface Forms

orthomyxovirus singular
orthomyxoviruses plural

Morphology

orthomyxovirus = myxovirus (opaque) = ortho + myxo + virus

The term is built from specialist Greek combining forms ('ortho-', 'myxo-') plus 'virus'; only 'virus' is likely familiar to learners, so the full term is not derivable by average learners.

Etymology

Orthomyxovirus comes from Greek parts: ortho- meaning 'straight' or 'true', myxo- meaning 'mucus', and -virus meaning 'germ'. So the name points to a 'true' group of 'mucus' germs, which is why orthomyxovirus is the family name for viruses like influenza.